This module takes the ideas you know about basic electronic circuits and general engineering principles and looks at three of the main applications of electronics. It comprises three blocks: signal processing, control, and communications.
Interactive software and OpenEngineering Laboratory experiments support the course materials in all three blocks. We use illustrative case studies throughout the module.
Block 1: Signal processing
The first block introduces you to signal processing. It starts by defining what we mean by noise in a signal, showing how to explain this in the frequency domain. It then shows how we can remove the noise using analogue electronic circuits – called filters. Using mathematical models, we’ll show you how to design filters to perform specific tasks. We’ll also give you a refresher on complex numbers. The block ends with a look at digital filters. First, how we can design filters that run on computers and perform many of the filtering tasks of analogue circuits. Finally, we look at aspects of processing that we can only do with digital signals, such as image processing.
Block 2: Control
This block introduces the idea of control theory. It discusses the basic principle of using feedback and processes’ transient responses. Block 2 extends some of the concepts of mathematical modelling introduced in Block 1, so you can start designing controllers that produce the desired process behaviour. You’ll spend some time looking at how to implement controllers electronically in both analogue circuits and as digital algorithms. You’ll then look at some of the ideas of intelligent control, specifically fuzzy logic control and neural networks.
Block 3: Communication
The final block introduces the principles of communication, emphasising radio communications. It starts by looking at modulation and how to encode a message into a radio frequency waveform. It shows the design and implementation of transmission and receiver circuits, and how radio frequency circuits differ from electronic circuits. You’ll consider aspects of analogue and digital communications and explore the advantages of each. Finally, you’ll look at space communications – the inherent problems and solutions.
The knowledge and skills developed in this module are applicable in various engineering roles. At the end of it, you’ll be able to:
This module will help you gain knowledge and skills essential for the practising engineer. It can help you to:
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
The TMAs and EMA assess your understanding of the module material, as well as practical (Open Engineering Lab) and simulation activities.
Quizzes help you prepare for the assessments, support your learning and determine your understanding for yourself. They don’t count towards your final mark.
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
Additionally, the website includes:
We also provide physical:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
T312 is a compulsory module in our:
T312 is an option module in our:
Electronics: signal processing, control and communications (T312) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2030.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
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There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
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